CLARKSVILLE - "Culturally" would probably be the best way to describe how students in six first-grade classes at Clarksville Primary School celebrated Christmas this year.

First-grade teachers Sherry Fowler, Kathy Howell, Ashley Morgan, Candace Rambo, Patricia Tucker and Dianne Werner led students in their classes in a study of Christmas Around the World in the days leading up to the holiday break.

Fowler said she and Howell began doing Christmas Around the World several years ago, but because of scheduling conflicts and mentoring new teachers, they have been unable to work together on the project the last couple of years.

This year, the two said they decided to include the other first-grade teachers, have each teacher take a different country and teach about the customs in that country to each class.

"We really wanted to show the students that the customs that many of us have in relation to Christmas come to us from many countries because we are such a culturally diverse people," Fowler said. "We wanted to also incorporate a tolerance of others and an understanding of beliefs from different cultures and countries."

Rambo taught students about Japan, while Werner's students learned about Christmas in Mexico. They made poinsettias and sampled chips and salsa and also Mexican wedding cookies.

Tucker taught about Christmas in Italy and led students in making wreaths, while Morgan taught about Germany and had students make gingerbread men.

Howell taught about the United States. Her crafts included decorated trees and popcorn chains like the early Americans may have used to decorate their trees.

In Fowler's room, students studied Christmas in England and France.

"We made Christmas crackers that originated in France but were later made in England," Fowler said. "We also made Christmas cards from England."

Rambo said she chose Japan because she was curious about the country where her husband lived for awhile.

"We discussed how a lot of Japanese people don't believe in Christmas because they are Buddhist," Rambo said. "We talked about who to believe and the Christmas customs they have in Japan like Christmas cake and Japanese fans that decorate their trees."

The students also learned about the Japanese version of Santa Claus.

"We talked about their Santa, who is a Japanese god named Hoteiosho," Rambo said. "He travels on foot, and he has eyes in the front and back of his head. The students loved it."

For activities, Rambo led students in creating and decorating their own Japanese fans.

Fowler said the classes really seemed to enjoy going to other classrooms and working on all the Christmas activities.

"We have learned more about the individual students, and the students have become more familiar with us as teachers," Fowler said. "They have developed a greater respect for each other as individuals and for us as teachers."